1. Starts as Idea How a Bill Becomes a Law Step 1. Introduced by a Congressman/Senator (Revenue Bills Must Start in the House) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf2q66G3lmM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TI8xqLl_-w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TI8xqLl_-w (original version)

2. Step II. The Bill is sent to the appropriate House or Senate standing committee. How a Bill Becomes a Law Step III. Sent to a subcommittee where hearings are held and the bill is “marked up” Riders (bills unlikely to pass on their own) are sometimes added.

3. Committees Standing Committee: - a permanent committee Bulk of work is done here Decide whether or not it’s worth making into a law Most bills die here Chairman is most senior member of majority party Subcommittee: – research, public hearings, testimonials

4. Select Committee Temporary committee Reasons for a select committee – Problem from an Interest Group – Overlooked problem – Matters of great public concern EX) Steroids in athletes

5. Step IV. Back to the full committee If the bill is not reported on favorably it “dies in committee” Only 10% of bills make it out of Committee! How a Bill Becomes a Law

6. Step V: Rules Committee (House only) It determines the bills schedule and rules for debate. How a Bill Becomes a Law

7. Step VI: DEBATE/VOTE – Need a majority of both houses Sent to the OTHER chamber/house of Congress How a Bill Becomes a Law

8. Step VII. Floor Action = DEBATE Debate is restricted in the House and “unrestricted” in the Senate. Filibuster: unlimited debate to prevent a bill from passing (only in the Senate) Cloture: 60 senators can vote to stop it Senator Ted Cruz recently filibustered for 21 hours! How a Bill Becomes a Law http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldaKE4sYm18

9. How a Bill Becomes a Law Step VIII. Conference Committee If a bill passes in one house but it is not the same as the bill passed in the other house the differences must be worked out. How a Bill Becomes a Law

10. Step IX: VOTE – Need a majority of both houses Step X. Sent to the President The President’s choices: Sign it = Bill becomes a law Veto = Refuse to sign it (2/3 can override) If the President does nothing, it becomes law in 10 days. (If Congress adjourns, the bill dies = Pocket Veto.) How a Bill Becomes a Law **The Line-item veto was declared unconstitutional!